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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The element of music pertaining to time - played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.






2. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






3. A sequence of songs - perhaps on a single theme - or with texts by one poet - or having continuos narrative.






4. A quick 20th century dance written in double time.






5. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






6. A repeated phrase.






7. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






8. A whole note is equal to 2 half notes - 4 quarter notes - 8 eighth notes - etc.






9. A musical form where the principal theme is repeated several times. The rondo was often used for the final movements of classical sonata form works.






10. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






11. Time in music history ranging from the middle of the 16th to the middle of the 17th centuries. Characterized by emotional - flowery music; written in strict form.






12. The range of an instrumental or a vocal part.






13. The flats and sharps at the beginning of each staff line indicating the key of music the piece is to be played.






14. Two notes that differ in name only. The notes occupy the same position.For example: C sharp and D flat.






15. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






16. A line in a contrapuntal work performed by an individual voice or instrument.






17. The expression the performer brings when playing his instrument.






18. Pertains to tone or tones.






19. Harsh - discordant - and lack of harmony. Also a chord that sounds incomplete until it resolves itself on a harmonious chord.






20. A composition written for a solo instrument. The soloist plays the melody while the orchestra plays the accompaniment.






21. Lowest female singing voice.






22. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






23. A reprise.






24. The period of music history which dates from the mid 1700's to mid 1800's. The music was spare and emotionally reserved - especially when compared to Romantic and Boroque music.






25. Pertaining to the loudness or softness of a musical composition. Also the symbols in sheet music indicating volume.






26. A complex piece of music. Usually the first movement of the piece serving as the exposition - a development - or recapitulation.






27. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






28. An extended solo - often accompanying the vocal part of an aria.






29. A repeating phrase that is played at the end of each verse in the song.






30. A musical theme given to a particular idea or main character of an opera.






31. To shift to another key.






32. A scale consisting of only whole-tone notes. Such a scale consists of only 6 notes.






33. A composition based on previous work. A common technique used in Medieval and Renaissance music.






34. The playing or singing the upper half of the vocal range. Also the highest voice in choral singing.






35. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






36. Arrangement of music for a combined number of instruments.






37. A repeated phrase.






38. The study of forms - history - science - and methods of music.






39. One who directs a group of performers. The conductor indicates the tempo - phrasing - dynamics - and style by gestures and facial expressions.






40. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






41. A composition written for three voices and instruments performed by three people






42. Movement in music where the characteristics are crisp and direct.






43. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






44. A harmonic given off by a note when it is played.






45. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






46. Ability to determine the pitch of a note as it relates to the notes that precede and follow it.






47. A tempo having slow movement; restful at ease.






48. A system of notation for stringed instruments. The notes are indicated by the finger positions.






49. A portion of the range of the instrument or voice.






50. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.